Scandinavian Rush Seat Side Chairs
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Set of four Scandinavian splay leg dining side chairs with curved backs, beechwood frame and new
Vintage 1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Side Chairs
Beech, Rush
Scandinavian Rush Seat Side Chairs
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Set of four Scandinavian splay leg dining side chairs with curved backs, beechwood frame and new
Beech, Rush
Danish Designer, Lounge Chairs, Beech, Rush, Denmark, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of beech and rush lounge chairs designed and produced in Denmark, c. 1940s. Blemish
Rush, Beech
$995 / item
H 34.5 in W 22 in D 22.5 in
"Pernelle" Rush Weave and Walnut Dining Arm Chair by Christiane Lemieux
Located in New York, NY
A solid wood arched frame threads through a woven rush seat with arms and backrest to form this
Rush, Oak
$995 / item
H 34.5 in W 22 in D 22.5 in
"Pernelle" Rush Weave and French Oak Dining Arm Chair by Christiane Lemieux
Located in New York, NY
A solid wood arched frame threads through a woven rush seat with arms and backrest to form this
Rush, Oak
$900 / item
H 34.5 in W 19.5 in D 22.5 in
"Pernelle" Rush Weave and Walnut Dining Side Chair by Christiane Lemieux
Located in New York, NY
A solid wood arched frame threads through a woven rush seat with arms and backrest to form this
Rush, Oak
$900 / item
H 34.5 in W 19.5 in D 22.5 in
"Pernelle" Rush Weave and French Oak Dining Side Chair by Christiane Lemieux
Located in New York, NY
A solid wood arched frame threads through a woven rush seat with arms and backrest to form this
Rush, Oak
$1,250 / item
H 36 in W 18 in D 21 in
"Pernelle" Rush Weave and Walnut Counter Height Stool by Christiane Lemieux
Located in New York, NY
The Pernelle Counter Stool reinterprets French seating tradition through modern craftsmanship. A solid wood frame in natural oak or walnut finishes supports a handwoven natural rope ...
Rush, Walnut
$1,250 / item
H 36 in W 18 in D 21 in
"Pernelle" Rush Weave and Oak Counter Height Stool by Christiane Lemieux
Located in New York, NY
The Pernelle Counter Stool reinterprets French seating tradition through modern craftsmanship. A solid wood frame in natural oak or walnut finishes supports a handwoven natural rope ...
Rush, Oak
Hans Wegner Chair Model Ch37 By Carl Hansen & Søn
By Hans J. Wegner, Carl Hansen & Søn
Located in Skokie, IL
Hans Wegner Chair Model Ch37 By Carl Hansen & Søn Additional information: Dimensions: 22.5" W
Rush, Teak
Teak Side Chair by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mölgaard-Nielsen
By Hvidt & Mølgaard
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A spare and elegant teak side chair having a curved floating back rest, woven rush seat and an
Rush, Teak
Arthur Umanoff Mid Century Modern Sculptural Chair
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Wheat Ridge, CO
Sculptural Arthur Umanoff chair with signature rush back, slatted wood seat, and iron legs
Metal
$2,200 / set
H 31 in W 19 in D 16 in
Pair of Hvidt Molgaard Teak Dining Chairs Mid-century Danish Modern
By Hvidt & Mølgaard
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Excellent pair of Hvidt Molgaard teak dining chairs with newly rushed seats. The chairs have a
Rush, Teak
$3,270 / set
H 35.04 in W 19.3 in D 17.72 in
Ensemble de 6 chaises assise en jonc et dossier en échelle
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in TOURCOING, FR
Ensemble de 6 chaises de salle à manger assise en jonc et dossier en échelle dans le goût de GUILLERME ET CHAMBRON 1950's
Rush, Oak
$1,200 / set
H 30 in W 19.75 in D 17.5 in
Pair of Mid Century Danish Modern Dining Chairs by Jorgen Moller for J.L.Moller
By Jorgen Moller, J.L. Møllers Møbelfabrik
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Mid Century Danish Modern armless dining chairs, designed by Jorgen Henrik Moller for J. L
Rush, Teak
Danish Modern Rosewood Leather Chair After Hans J. Wegner
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Brooklyn, NY
designer Hans J Wegner’s chair model JH501, released in 1949. This model was so well-loved, it universally
Leather, Rosewood, Cane, Rush
Unavailable
H 29.93 in W 22.84 in D 27.56 in
Folding Rope Chair 1950s, in the manner of Hans Wegner, Black Frame
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Faversham, GB
Folding chair in the manner of Hans Wegner, solid wood frame in black with woven organic rope seat
Papercord, Rush, Rope, Beech
Unavailable
H 30 in W 19 in D 19 in
Midcentury Dining Chairs by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, 1950s
By Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter Hvidt
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Step back into a time when furniture wasn’t just made, but meticulously crafted. This set of chairs
Rush, Teak
Unavailable
H 31.11 in W 23.63 in D 21.66 in
Side chair by Einar Larsen & Aksel Bender Madsen for Willy Beck, Denmark 1950
By Ejner Larsen, Aksel Bender Madsen, Willy Beck
Located in Wilnis, UT
and back. This chair has a fantastic Scandinavian modern style and is a highly recognizable pieces of
Rush, Teak
Unavailable
H 31.11 in W 23.63 in D 21.66 in
Side chair by Einar Larsen & Aksel Bender Madsen for Willy Beck, Denmark 1950
By Ejner Larsen, Aksel Bender Madsen, Willy Beck
Located in Wilnis, UT
and back. This chair has a fantastic Scandinavian modern style and is a highly recognizable pieces of
Rush, Teak
PP66 "Chinese Chair" by Hans J. Wegner for PP Møbler
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Stellenbosch, Western Cape
PP62 "Chinese chair" designed by Hans J. Wegner for PP Møbler in 1949.
Oak, Rush
Set of 6 Pine & Rush Dining Chairs, Scandinavian Modern, 1970's
Located in Austin, TX
Scandinavian Modern style set of dining chairs with solid pine armed frames and rush seats. Very
Rush, Pine
Danish Designer, Lounge Chair, Oak, Rush, Denmark, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A dark-stained oak and rush lounge chairs designed and produced in Denmark, c. 1940s. seat height
Rush, Oak
Traditionalist Rush, Wood Armchair
By Bas Van Pelt
Located in Nashville, TN
traditional armchair comprised of wood, rush, two available. In excellent vintage condition with
Berlin Iron
Rustic Danish Chairs in Rush and Oak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Danish church chairs, oak and rush seating, Denmark, 1960s. Rustic Danish church chairs made in
Oak, Rush
Sold
H 31.11 in W 18.51 in L 31.11 in
Set of 8 Oak and Rush Dining Chairs by Johan Van Heuvel for Ad Vorm, 1960s
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Set of 8 oak and rush dining chairs by Johan van Heuvel for Ad Vorm, 1960s Measures: W 47 cm, H
Rush, Oak
Neils Moeller Set of Six Teak Dining Chairs with Rush Seats
By Niels Otto Møller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Completely refinished and re-rushed set of six solid teak Danish dining chairs by Neils Moeller
Sycamore, Rush, Teak
Sold
H 31 in W 20.5 in D 17.5 in
Set of 6 Danish Knotty Pine Dining Chairs with Rush Seats, circa 1970s
By Rainer Daumiller
Located in San Antonio, TX
Set of 6 Scandinavian design, Danish knotty solid pine dining chairs with rush seats, circa 1970s
Rush, Pine
Niels Otto Møller Teak and Rush Dining Desk Side Chair
By Niels Otto Møller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
teak finish in contrast with a woven rush seat. The chair is perfect as a dining, desk or accent chair.
Rush, Teak
Sold
H 29.5 in W 18 in D 18 in
Set of Four Rosewood and Rush Dining Chairs H.W.Klein for Bramen, Denmark
By Henry Walter Klein
Located in Buffalo, NY
Set of four figured rosewood and rush dining chairs H.W.Klein for Bramen, Denmark. Classic, sleek
Rosewood, Rush
Danish 70s pine chairs with paper rush seat
By Rainer Daumiller
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Four lacquered pine chairs from approx the 1970s. With a nice and square braid pattern in the seat
Wicker, Rattan, Pine
Sold
H 42.13 in W 24.81 in D 30.71 in
Scandinavian Modern 1950’s Hans Wegner Rocking Chair J16 in Beech & Danish Cord
By FDB Møbler, Hans J. Wegner
Located in London, GB
A Shaker inspired rocking chair with a spindled back and curved armrests in beech and papercord
Beech, Papercord, Rush
Sold
H 30.71 in W 19.69 in D 18.9 in
Danish Oregon Pine Dining Chairs with Paper Rush / Wicker Seats, ca. 1990s
By J.L. Møllers Møbelfabrik
Located in Copenhagen, DK
6 oregon pine dining chairs with paper rush / wicker seats. The chairs were designed by Jørgen
Pine, Wicker, Rattan
Set of 2 Scandinavian Oak and Rush Side Chairs
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Scandinavian Modern side chairs in solid oak and rush, Denmark, 1950s. A modest and traditional
Rush, Oak
1960s Mid-Century Cabin Woven Rush Rope Rocking Armchair
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Hyattsville, MD
1960s Yugoslavian Interpretation of the Hans Wegner world famous rocking chair design. This
Rope, Beech
Sold
H 30 in W 20 in D 19 in
Niels O. Møller Set of Eight Dining Chairs Model No. 75 in Teak and Rush Seat
By Niels Otto Møller, J.L. Møllers Møbelfabrik
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Set of eight dining chairs model 75 - one of the all-time great dining chairs to come out of the
Papercord, Teak
Dining Chairs By Borge Mogensen
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A set of four dining chairs with gently curving slat-backs of rectilinear form made of clear Oregon
Rush
Hans Wegner Danish Modern J-16 Rocking Chair
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mid-century Danish Modern rocking chair By Hans Wegner for FDB Møbler Denmark, Circa
Rush, Beech
J39 Oak Dining Chairs by Børge Mogensen, Set of 4
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Hudson, NY
These oak chairs with rush seating are by Borge Mogensen. They are solid, with clean lines, and
Rush
Hans Wegner for FDB Møbler Danish Modern J-16 Rocking Chair
By FDB Møbler, Hans J. Wegner
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous midcentury Danish Modern rocking chair By Hans Wegner for FDB Møbler Denmark
Rush, Beech
Pair of Tage Poulsen Pine & Rush Seat Lounge Chairs, c. 1970's
By Tage Poulsen
Located in Norwalk, CT
Immerse yourself in the serene beauty of Scandinavian design with this pair of lounge chairs
Rush, Pine
Sold
H 37.25 in W 25 in D 30.25 in
Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Pair of Chairs Unrestored Condition, circa 1960s
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Scandinavia Arm Chairs with Rush Hand-Woven Seating surfaces. The pair
Rush, Wood
Scandinavian Modern Rush and Beech Dining Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of 4, Scandinavian modern, beech wood dining chairs feature woven rush seats and backs. The set
Rush, Beech
Sold
H 38 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Pair of 1960s Swedish Chairs Oak, Teak Wood with Rush Seating, Two Chairs
Located in Basel, BS
A pair of very classic 1960s Swedish Oak and Teak wood chairs with rush cord woven seating. In
Rush, Oak, Teak
Hans Wegner J.16 Rocking Chair with Rush Seat
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Brooklyn, NY
comfortable rush seating. The iconic design of this Scandinavian modern J.16 rocking chair is credited to Hans
Rush, Beech
Sold
H 29.5 in W 20 in D 20 in
JL Moller Rush Rope Danish Teak Side Desk Nº 75 Dining Chair Vintage Mid-Century
By Neils O. Möller, J. L. Möller Höjbjerg
Located in Hyattsville, MD
All original Vintage Danish chair. A very clean and lightly used example. Just procured from the
Rush, Teak
Sold
H 34.5 in W 19.5 in D 22.5 in
"Pernelle" Rush Weave and Walnut Dining Side Chair by Christiane Lemieux
Located in New York, NY
A solid wood arched frame threads through a woven rush seat with arms and backrest to form this
Rush, Oak
Sold
H 30 in W 19 in D 16 in
Peoples Danish Freetown Coffee House Chairs Mogensen Midcentury Birch Rush
By FDB Møbler, Børge Mogensen
Located in Hyattsville, MD
remains unbroken and strong. FDB Model J39 Baltic birch and cord (Rope/Rush) dining side chairs.
Birch
Sold
H 30 in W 19 in D 16 in
Peoples Danish Freetown Coffee House Chairs Mogensen Mid-Century Oak Rush
By Børge Mogensen, FDB Møbler
Located in Hyattsville, MD
and strong. FDB Model J39 oak and cord dining side chairs.
Cord, Oak
Set of 4 Vintage Aalto 611 Dining Chairs
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in New York, NY
Classic Model 611 ding chairs designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Made in Finland. These chairs are
Rush, Wood
Hans Wegner Set of Eight Dining Chairs Model CH-23
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in San Francisco, CA
Hans Wegner design set of eight dining chairs model CH-23 for Carl Hanson & Son, Denmark. In very
Rush, Oak, Teak
Sold
H 42 in W 24 in D 31 in
Black Lacquered Hans J. Wegner J16 Rocking Chair Or Rocker For FDB Mobler 1963
By Hans J. Wegner, FDB Møbler
Located in Southampton, NJ
A rare 'black edition' of the iconic Hans J. Wegner J16 rocking chair having perfect Rush seat with
Brass
Sold
H 31 in W 19.5 in D 19.5 in
Six Moller Model-71 Dining Chairs w Peter Hvidt Model-311 Dining Table, 1950s
By J.L. Møllers Møbelfabrik, Peter Hvidt, Niels Otto Møller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful pairing of six Moller Model-71 dining chairs with rush seating and a Peter Hvidt Model
Teak, Rush
Scandinavian Rush Chair
Located in New York, NY
Scandinavian sling chair with a tightly woven rush seat with wooden stretcher at top and bottom for
Set of Six Borge Mogensen Rush Seat Dining Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Four side chairs and two arm chairs.
Set of Four Hans Wegner Style Rush and Oak Ladder Back Dining Chairs
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Four Danish oak and rush dining chairs.
J. L. Moller Chairs
By J.L. Møllers Møbelfabrik
Located in Baltimore, MD
Six Moller Model 75 dining chairs in teak with new rush seats. Beautiful deep color to teak. Very
Teak, Rush
Set of 8 Van Den Berghe Chairs
By Van den Berghe-Pauvers 1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of eight oak wood and rush seat dining chairs by Van Den Berghe-Pauvers. Belgium circa 1960
Rush, Oak
Set of 6 Midcentury Dining Chairs in Oak and Woven Piping Seat
Located in Wijnegem, Antwerpen
Set of 6 dining room chairs in oak with woven rush seat in great condition.
Rush, Oak
Sold
H 36.5 in W 18 in D 20 in
BRDR FURBO Mid 20th Century Danish Modern Teak Dining Side Chairs - Set of 4
By BRDR Furbo
Located in Charlotte, NC
A set of four Mid 20th Century Danish Modern dining side chairs by BRDR FURBO. Solid teak with slat
Rush, Teak
Sold
H 29.5 in W 19 in D 17 in
Set of four Børge Mogensen Wood and Rush Dining Chairs, Mid-20th Century, Danish
By Børge Mogensen
Located in New York, NY
seat back and woven rush seats provide a comfortable, yet chic set of Scandinavian modern dining chairs
Rush, Oak
Set of Four Hans Wegner Wishbone Chairs, CH24
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Oaks, PA
A very nice set of black painted 1970s Hans Wegner CH24 Wishbone Chairs. Paperboard seats are in
Rush, Wood
Sasco Semi-Flush Mount Brass Light Fixture, Custom Finishes
Located in Pound Ridge, NY
The Sasco is a versatile custom-made solid brass and glass globe light fixture, which can be mounted on the ceiling or wall. Shown here in our factory brass, an uneven unfinished br...
Brass
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool This White Oak Chile Counter Stool is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. The stool is chunky and modern...
Wood, Oak
$74 / item
H 23.5 in W 23.5 in D 2 in
White Wash Brutalist Sculptural Collage Artwork, Mural from Upcycled Wood
By Peter Glassford
Located in San Antonio, TX
These WHITE WASH collage tiles are composed randomly from recycled wood remnants and when installed bathe any space with a warm feeling and texture which is meditative, sanded to a s...
Wood
Charles Dudouyt Oak and Straw chairs
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Santa Gertrudis, Baleares
Painter and illustrator turned furniture designer Charles Dudouyt (1885-1946) sense of rusticity and modernism is strikingly present in this set of 1930s chairs.
Straw, Oak
French Designer, Wall Mirror, Oak, France, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
An oak wall mirror likely designed and produced in France, c. 1940s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 12.1"H x 10.1"W x 0.7"D Does not include mounting hardware. All items ship from H...
Wood, Oak
$1,155Sale Price / item|30% Off
H 16.1 in Dm 11.5 in
'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
By Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Glendale, CA
'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...
Textile
Custom Made Oak and Velvet Bench by Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Bench designed by Danish master Kai Kristiansen in the 1950s and now produced under license by Dagmar. Hand-made to order, this upholstered bench has a fumed and oiled oak frame. Th...
Mohair, Oak
Minho Mirror
By Project 213A
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
Minho Mirror Designed by Project 213A in 2024 The Minho mirror is framed in solid wood with an abstract organic shape. Crafted by Skilled artisans in Northern Portugal. Bespoke dime...
Mirror, Walnut
The Albert, Custom Made Belgian Linen Armchair
Located in Jesteburg, DE
Introducing the home collection. A small selection of timeless Flemish designs made by hand for us in a small third generation workshop in Belgium. Has been used by many influent...
Linen
$654Sale Price / item|55% Off
H 33.47 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Dining Chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, Model Razorblade, Denmark, Oak
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Set of striking dining chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, made of oak and boucle. Refreshing design with bold Baroque coming together nicely with Mid-Century Modernism. Model: Razorblade ...
Oak
$17,505 / item
H 13 in W 36 in D 52 in
Circular Coffee/Side Table Organic Black Modern Contemporary Blackened Steel
By J.M. Szymanski
Located in Bronx, NY
TABLE NO. 15 - COFFEE TABLE J.M. Szymanski d. 2019 This Noguchi-inspired coffee table is handcrafted in 3/8” thick steel, with a natural black patina and wax finish, to create an u...
Steel, Iron
$5,800 / set
H 30.32 in W 31.5 in D 29.14 in
Danish Modern, A Pair of Easy Chairs in Oak & Lambswool, Henning Kjærnulf, 1960s
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Odense, DK
A striking pair of Danish lounge chairs, crafted in the 1960s by a Danish cabinetmaker. Made in the manner of Henning Kjærnulf. Constructed in solid oak, the chairs feature strong, g...
Lambskin, Sheepskin, Oak
Couple of Brown Velvet English Style Armchairs
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful pair of English style armchairs made in the 1950s in a beautiful brown velvet. The armchairs have 4 feet to support the seat: the two at the back are made of a beautiful, ...
Brass
"Madeleine" Bow Back Oak Chair by Christiane Lemieux
Located in New York, NY
This modern solid Oak dining chair features a unique bow-shaped back and a contoured upholstered seat. The seat is crafted for comfort and made with a woven performance-grade fabric ...
Oak
$6,300 / item
H 16 in W 58 in D 32 in
Organic Shaped Modern Nesting Coffee Tables by Last Workshop, Walnut
By Last Workshop
Located in Chicago, IL
Organic shaped nesting coffee tables by Last Workshop, 2023 Solid walnut, natural finish Table one: 58" x 32" x 16"H Table two: 46" x 25" x 13.5" If not in stock, current productio...
Hardwood, Walnut
Amoeba Walnut Coffee Table
By Jerry Nance
Located in New Hampton, NY
Walnut coffee table based on the style of historical pieces. This coffee table features an irregularly curved tabletop with vertical grain thick-veneered perimeter. Three turned Waln...
Wood, Walnut
Scandinavian modernism is perhaps the warmest and most organic iteration of modernist design. The work of the designers associated with vintage Scandinavian modern furniture was founded on centuries-old beliefs in both quality craftsmanship and the ideal that beauty should enhance even the humblest accessories of daily life.
ORIGINS OF SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
ICONIC SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The gentle, organic contours that are typical of Scandinavian design appear in the furnishings and decor created by Danish, Finnish and Swedish designers not as a stylistic gesture, but rather as a practical, ergonomic — and, as importantly, elegant — response to the human form.
Each nation produced exceptional talents in all areas of the applied arts, yet each had its forté. Sweden was home to Greta Magnusson Grossman and Bruno Mathsson — creators of the classic Grasshopper lighting series and Berlin daybed, respectively — but the country excelled most notably at ceramics. In the 1920s at the great Gustavsberg porcelain manufactory, Wilhelm Kåge introduced pieces in the Scandinavian style based on influences from folklore to Cubism; his skills were passed on to his versatile and inspired pupils Berndt Friberg and Stig Lindberg.
Likewise, Finland produced a truly ingenious Scandinavian modern furniture designer in the architect Alvar Aalto, a master at melding function and artistic form in works like the Paimio chair, created in collaboration with his first wife, Aino. Yet Finnish glassware was pre-eminent, crafted in expressive, sculptural designs by Tapio Wirkkala and Timo Sarpaneva.
The Danes excelled at chairs. Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen were exemplars of the country’s facility with wood, particularly teak.
Wegner created such iconic pieces as the Round chair and the Wishbone chair; Jacobsen — while the revolutionary architect and furniture innovator produced the best-selling plywood Ant chair — designed two classic upholstered pieces of the 1950s: the Swan chair and Egg chair. The list of great Danes could go on and on, including Finn Juhl, a stylistic maverick and maker of the bold Chieftain chair; Poul Kjaerholm, with his lean metal-and-rattan aesthetic; and Verner Panton, who introduced a vibrant Pop note into international design.
Today, decades after their heyday, the prolific, ever-evolving Scandinavian modernists continue to amaze and delight, and interior designers all over the world use their pieces to bring warmth to any given space.
On 1stDibs, you will note both instantly recognizable vintage Scandinavian modern chairs, sofas, rugs and tables — those that have earned iconic status over time — and many new discoveries.
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
If anyone is brave, humble and adept enough to recolor these mid-century masterpieces, it’s Ilse Crawford. Here, she gives us the details on her five earthy paint choices and tells us how she feels about design collaborations.
In an innovative display, the Designmuseum Danmark is permanently exhibiting the 20th century's most iconic seats.
Our feed is filled with the world's most beautiful spaces. See the 10 our followers have deemed the best of the best this month.